Mark Phelan: Best cars for man's best friend

2:10 PM, September 2, 2014

A pet owner and her dog Izzie sit in her car outside her house in Alexandria, Va. on Nov. 2, 2012. Automotive shopping website Autotrader.com offers a list of the best vehicles for dog lovers. / Associated Press

Detroit Free Press Auto Critic

As the summer road trip season winds down, automotive shopping website Autotrader.com offers a list of the best vehicles for dog lovers.

Autotrader says 55% of visitors to its website seek out cars and trucks that can accommodate their dogs, and that 75% of its shoppers who have a dog take their pet in the car at least once a month.

Autotrader focused on dog-friendly features like a low ride height and tailgate for easy access, fold-flat seats, under-floor storage and a roomy cabin. Here’s is Autotrader’s list:

■ Subaru Outback

■ Nissan Juke

■ Volkswagen Tiguan

■ BMW X3

■ Volvo V60

■ Kia Soul

■ Honda Odyssey

As a longtime dog owner, the Honda Element, now discontinued, belongs in the dog owners’ hall of fame. With a low step-in height, wide doors and lots of room to curl up and nap, it could’ve been designed by dogs for dogs. But for current models, here’s my list:

■ Dodge Grand Caravan minivan

■ Buick Encore small SUV

■ Ford Transit Connect compact van

■ VW Jetta station wagon.

But any car can become a dog carrier, as proven by a dog-park friend of mine who uses a seat belt adapter and eye-protecting doggle goggles so she and her dog Ridley can enjoy top-down rides in a Mazda Miata roadster.

Remember, if you travel with your dog, use a restraint or netting to secure the animal in case of an accident, and never leave a dog unattended in a hot, parked vehicle.